Do people here have more "mixing tubes" episodes - food getting into the windpipe?

[question everything]

Including saliva?

I wonder whether this is part of aging.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I do, but I had Stage IV throat cancer and now have Barrett's esophagus. Perhaps you need to have

an EDG (esophagogastroduodenoscopy).

[question everything]

3. Thanks, will look into this.

[FarPoint]

2. What you describe ...

It's not part of aging...

[Lefta Dissenter]

4. It CAN BE part of aging

My dad’s doctor was talking about this just today. She said it takes 38 muscles all cooperating to swallow properly. As you begin to swallow, the glottis is supposed to protect your airway. As we age, the glottis’ reaction time can slow down. Therefore, she recommends tucking the chin down when swallowing, which makes food/liquid take a bit longer to get as far as the glottis, giving it more time to close over and do its job.

Please don’t take this as an anatomy lesson, since I can’t swear by my correct recollection of the details, but you could try tucking your chin down, to see if that helps.

Consider going to a swallow clinic, if you can. They can watch what is going on when you swallow and make recommendations.

[question everything]

6. Swallow clinic. I have never heard of it. Will look into it. Thanks

[question everything]

8. Spouse uses the CPAP for his sleep apnea and theorizes that it is related

Keeping the airway open as the cartilage is aging.

[Easterncedar]

5. If you can get a referral to a SALT, it can help

You may have something more involved going on, but exercises given by a Speech and Language Therapist really helped my guy when he developed weakness in swallowing, which led to choking.

[vanamonde]

7. Not so much food but definitely liquids.

I just turned 70 and it seems to happen more often as the years go by.